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Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday said that the national capital is emerging victorious in the war against Covid-19 after it recorded 3.68 per cent positivity rate in the samples tested in the last 24 hours. 
 
"Positivity rate in Delhi today has fallen down further to 3.68 per cent. Delhi is emerging victorious in this war against the virus," he said. 
 
Jain also urged people to continue following the precautions. "I would request you all to continue following the three commandments - mask, social distancing and sanitisation," he added.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-woman-gears-up-to-marks-100th-birthday-she-beats-covid-19-to-make-celebrations-grander-347872" hreflang="en">As woman gears up to marks 100th birthday, she beats Covid-19 to make celebrations grander</a> 
 
After a long haul, the positivity rate of Covid-19 cases in the national capital has dipped to 3.68 per cent after Delhi tested over 70,000 samples in the last 24 hours. 
 
The capital city tested 73,536 samples, of which 2,706 turned out positive while 4,622 people recovered from the Covid-19 on in the last 24 hours, the data by Delhi government showed. Meanwhile, 69 deaths were recorded in the same duration. 
 
The tally of cases has reached 5,92,250 while the toll has risen to 9,643. Meanwhile, Of the total tests conducted in the last 24 hours, 32,023 were done through RT-PCR and 41,513 were Rapid Antigen Tests. The capital city has conducted 67,40,712 tests so far, according to the bulletin by the Delhi Health Department.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-over-36000-new-cases-confirmed-death-toll-tops-140000-347836" hreflang="en">India: Over 36,000 new cases confirmed; death toll tops 140,000</a> 
 
The number of containment zones have been raised to 6,173. 
 
After battling the third surge with lack of healthcare facilities, and huge number of daily new infections and fatalities in November, December has arrived as a relief for Delhi. The number of daily cases and the positivity rate has gone down drastically with the start of the month. While the daily new cases are now limited under 5,000, the positivity rate is also plunging below 5 per cent. 
 
On Thursday, the positivity rate in Delhi recorded 4.9 per cent. On Friday, it recorded 4.8 per cent while it stood around 4.2 per cent on Saturday. 
 
After a long period, the capital city has witnessed new cases in a day emerging below 3,000. This scenario was last seen in the first week of October, right before Delhi grappled under the second surge of the coronavirus. 
 
However, in spite of the positivity rate and the number of cases going drastically down, the fatalities have still remained a matter of worry. In November alone, the capital city reported 2,663 deaths which was 29 per cent of the total fatalities Delhi saw since the pandemic started. Meanwhile, a 32.2 per cent rise in the tally of Coronavirus cases was reported in November only. 
 
Currently, 6,145 out of 18,814 beds are occupied in the hospitals, 429 out of 7,942 beds in the dedicated Covid Care Centres and 137 out of 562 beds in the dedicated Covid Health Centres. A total of 16,950 people are in home isolation.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday said that the national capital is emerging victorious in the war against Covid-19 after it recorded 3.68 per cent positivity rate in the samples tested in the last 24 hours.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday said that the national capital is emerging victorious in the war against Covid-19 after it recorded 3.68 per cent positivity rate in the samples tested in the last 24 hours. "Positivity rate in Delhi today has fallen down further to 3.68 per cent. Delhi is emerging victorious in this war against the virus," he said. Jain also urged people to continue following the precautions. "I would request you all to continue following the three commandments - mask, social distancing and sanitisation," he added. Also read| As woman gears up to marks 100th birthday, she beats Covid-19 to make celebrations grander After a long haul, the positivity rate of Covid-19 cases in the national capital has dipped to 3.68 per cent after Delhi tested over 70,000 samples in the last 24 hours. The capital city tested 73,536 samples, of which 2,706 turned out positive while 4,622 people recovered from the Covid-19 on in the last 24 hours, the data by Delhi government showed. Meanwhile, 69 deaths were recorded in the same duration. The tally of cases has reached 5,92,250 while the toll has risen to 9,643. Meanwhile, Of the total tests conducted in the last 24 hours, 32,023 were done through RT-PCR and 41,513 were Rapid Antigen Tests. The capital city has conducted 67,40,712 tests so far, according to the bulletin by the Delhi Health Department. Also read| India: Over 36,000 new cases confirmed; death toll tops 140,000 The number of containment zones have been raised to 6,173. After battling the third surge with lack of healthcare facilities, and huge number of daily new infections and fatalities in November, December has arrived as a relief for Delhi. The number of daily cases and the positivity rate has gone down drastically with the start of the month. While the daily new cases are now limited under 5,000, the positivity rate is also plunging below 5 per cent. On Thursday, the positivity rate in Delhi recorded 4.9 per cent. On Friday, it recorded 4.8 per cent while it stood around 4.2 per cent on Saturday. After a long period, the capital city has witnessed new cases in a day emerging below 3,000. This scenario was last seen in the first week of October, right before Delhi grappled under the second surge of the coronavirus. However, in spite of the positivity rate and the number of cases going drastically down, the fatalities have still remained a matter of worry. In November alone, the capital city reported 2,663 deaths which was 29 per cent of the total fatalities Delhi saw since the pandemic started. Meanwhile, a 32.2 per cent rise in the tally of Coronavirus cases was reported in November only. Currently, 6,145 out of 18,814 beds are occupied in the hospitals, 429 out of 7,942 beds in the dedicated Covid Care Centres and 137 out of 562 beds in the dedicated Covid Health Centres. A total of 16,950 people are in home isolation.

Delhi victorious over virus, says Jain as positivity rate dips to 3.6%

After several UK parliamentarians and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the United Nations Chief has also addressed the ongoing farmers' protest in India.&nbsp;

"As to the question of India, what I would say to you is what I've said to others when raising these issues is that people have a right to demonstrate peacefully, and authorities need to let them do so," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/eam-s-jaishankar-to-skip-canada-led-covid-meet-after-justin-trudeaus-remarks-on-farmers-protest-347792/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Thousands of farmers are demonstrating from several days at border areas of the national capital against three farm laws that were approved in September.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/diljit-dosanjh-makes-surprise-appearance-at-singhu-border-to-support-farmers-347750">Diljit Dosanjh makes surprise appearance at Singhu border to support farmers</a>

Earlier, Trudeau extended his support to the protests despite strong opposition from New Delhi, calling it India's internal matter.&nbsp;

At least 36 parliamentarians of various parties in the UK have also written a letter to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to take up the matter with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar as it affects many British Sikhs and Punjabis.&nbsp;

"This is an issue of particular concern to Sikhs in the UK and those linked to Punjab, although it also heavily impacts on other Indian states. Many British Sikhs and Punjabis have taken this matter up with their MPs, as they are directly affected with family members and ancestral land in Punjab," the content of the letter said.

"This is a joint letter calling for representation to be made by yourself to your Indian counterpart about the impact on British Sikhs and Punjabis, with longstanding links to land and farming in India."&nbsp;

After several UK parliamentarians and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the United Nations Chief has also addressed the ongoing farmers' protest in India. "As to the question of India, what I would say to you is what I've said to others when raising these issues is that people have a right to demonstrate peacefully, and authorities need to let them do so," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.

After several UK parliamentarians and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the United Nations Chief has also addressed the ongoing farmers' protest in India. "As to the question of India, what I would say to you is what I've said to others when raising these issues is that people have a right to demonstrate peacefully, and authorities need to let them do so," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary-General. Watch | Thousands of farmers are demonstrating from several days at border areas of the national capital against three farm laws that were approved in September. Also read | Diljit Dosanjh makes surprise appearance at Singhu border to support farmers Earlier, Trudeau extended his support to the protests despite strong opposition from New Delhi, calling it India's internal matter. At least 36 parliamentarians of various parties in the UK have also written a letter to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to take up the matter with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar as it affects many British Sikhs and Punjabis. "This is an issue of particular concern to Sikhs in the UK and those linked to Punjab, although it also heavily impacts on other Indian states. Many British Sikhs and Punjabis have taken this matter up with their MPs, as they are directly affected with family members and ancestral land in Punjab," the content of the letter said. "This is a joint letter calling for representation to be made by yourself to your Indian counterpart about the impact on British Sikhs and Punjabis, with longstanding links to land and farming in India."

UN chief comments on farmers protest in India

The daily <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus </a>infections in India further dropped to 36,011 on Sunday, bringing the total tally to 9,644,222, according to the latest data by the health ministry.

India also recorded 482 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 140,182.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-vaccine-may-be-ready-in-few-weeks-waiting-for-experts-nod-pm-modi-347455/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There are 403,248 active cases, which is 4.18 per cent of total caseload in India. With 41,970 new recoveries, 9,100,792 people have recuperated from the deadly virus, taking the recovery rate to 94.37 per cent.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pfizer-seeks-emergency-approval-for-covid-vaccine-in-india-347819">Pfizer seeks emergency approval for Covid vaccine in India</a>

After seeing a peak of about 1 million cases a day, the number of cases and deaths in India have declined considerably in the last two months.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, pharma major Pfizer's India unit has become the first firm to seek emergency approval from Indian drug regulators for emergency use of its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">Covid-19 vaccine </a>after similar clearances were granted in the UK and Bahrain.&nbsp;

"Pfizer India has submitted an application on December 4 to the DCGI seeking emergency use authorization (EUA) for its Covid-19 vaccine in India," a source said, reports news agency PTI.&nbsp;

Prime Ministers Narendra Modi on Friday said that experts believe that a vaccine to treat coronavirus would be available in weeks, adding that once scientists give their nod, vaccination process will begin in the country.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The daily coronavirus infections in India further dropped to 36,011 on Sunday, bringing the total tally to 9,644,222, according to the latest data by the health ministry.

The daily coronavirus infections in India further dropped to 36,011 on Sunday, bringing the total tally to 9,644,222, according to the latest data by the health ministry. India also recorded 482 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 140,182. Watch | There are 403,248 active cases, which is 4.18 per cent of total caseload in India. With 41,970 new recoveries, 9,100,792 people have recuperated from the deadly virus, taking the recovery rate to 94.37 per cent. Also read | Pfizer seeks emergency approval for Covid vaccine in India After seeing a peak of about 1 million cases a day, the number of cases and deaths in India have declined considerably in the last two months. Meanwhile, pharma major Pfizer's India unit has become the first firm to seek emergency approval from Indian drug regulators for emergency use of its Covid-19 vaccine after similar clearances were granted in the UK and Bahrain. "Pfizer India has submitted an application on December 4 to the DCGI seeking emergency use authorization (EUA) for its Covid-19 vaccine in India," a source said, reports news agency PTI. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi on Friday said that experts believe that a vaccine to treat coronavirus would be available in weeks, adding that once scientists give their nod, vaccination process will begin in the country.

India: Over 36,000 new cases confirmed; death toll tops 140,000

Pfizer Inc has applied for emergency use authorisation of its coronavirus vaccine in India, reports said on Sunday.

With this, Pfizer India has become the first pharmaceutical firm to seek from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) an emergency use authorisation for its vaccine in the country, after its parent company secured such clearance in the UK and Bahrain.

The firm, in its application submitted to the drug regulator, has sought permission to import the vaccine for sale and distribution in the country, besides waiver of clinical trials on Indian population in accordance with the special provisions under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, official sources said.

According to PTI, Pfizer India submitted an application on December 4 to the DCGI seeking emergency use authorisation (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine in India. The firm has submitted the EUA application in Form CT-18 for grant of permission to import and market Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in the country.

The UK on Wednesday became the first country to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19, with the UK regulator Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granting a temporary authorisation for its emergency use.

The British regulator said the jab, which claims to offer up to 95 per cent protection against COVID-19, is safe for roll-out.

Bahrain on Friday also announced that it has granted an EUA for the two-dose vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. The pharma company has already applied to the US FDA seeking EUA for the vaccine.

Pfizer told PTI it remains committed to engaging with the Government of India and explore opportunities to make this vaccine available for use in the country.

"During this pandemic phase, Pfizer will supply this vaccine only through government contracts based on agreements with respective government authorities and following regulatory authorisation or approval," the global pharma major said in a statement.

Five vaccines are in advanced phases of clinical trials in India with the Serum Institute of India conducting phase-3 trial of the Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine, while the indigenously developed vaccine by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR has already started the phase-3 clinical trial.

Drug firm Zydus Cadila has received the approval from the DCGI to start the phase-3 clinical trials of the indigenously-developed anti-coronavirus vaccine.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) have announced that they commenced adaptive phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India, Also, Biological E. Ltd has started early phase 1 and 2 human trials of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

(with inputs from agencies)

Pfizer Inc has applied for emergency use authorisation of its coronavirus vaccine in India, reports said on Sunday. With this, Pfizer India has become the first pharmaceutical firm to seek from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) an emergency use authorisation for its vaccine in the country, after its parent company secured such clearance in the UK and Bahrain.

Pfizer Inc has applied for emergency use authorisation of its coronavirus vaccine in India, reports said on Sunday. With this, Pfizer India has become the first pharmaceutical firm to seek from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) an emergency use authorisation for its vaccine in the country, after its parent company secured such clearance in the UK and Bahrain. The firm, in its application submitted to the drug regulator, has sought permission to import the vaccine for sale and distribution in the country, besides waiver of clinical trials on Indian population in accordance with the special provisions under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, official sources said. According to PTI, Pfizer India submitted an application on December 4 to the DCGI seeking emergency use authorisation (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine in India. The firm has submitted the EUA application in Form CT-18 for grant of permission to import and market Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in the country. The UK on Wednesday became the first country to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19, with the UK regulator Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granting a temporary authorisation for its emergency use. The British regulator said the jab, which claims to offer up to 95 per cent protection against COVID-19, is safe for roll-out. Bahrain on Friday also announced that it has granted an EUA for the two-dose vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. The pharma company has already applied to the US FDA seeking EUA for the vaccine. Pfizer told PTI it remains committed to engaging with the Government of India and explore opportunities to make this vaccine available for use in the country. "During this pandemic phase, Pfizer will supply this vaccine only through government contracts based on agreements with respective government authorities and following regulatory authorisation or approval," the global pharma major said in a statement. Five vaccines are in advanced phases of clinical trials in India with the Serum Institute of India conducting phase-3 trial of the Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine, while the indigenously developed vaccine by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR has already started the phase-3 clinical trial. Drug firm Zydus Cadila has received the approval from the DCGI to start the phase-3 clinical trials of the indigenously-developed anti-coronavirus vaccine. Dr Reddy's Laboratories and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) have announced that they commenced adaptive phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India, Also, Biological E. Ltd has started early phase 1 and 2 human trials of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. (with inputs from agencies)

Pfizer seeks emergency approval for Covid vaccine in India

B Medical System, a firm from Luxembourg that will be building portable and non-portable covid vaccine refrigerators for Indian government will set up plant in India. The plant will be up and running by mid-March in Gujarat.

This is the direct outcome of the virtual summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Luxembourg PM Xavier Bettel.&nbsp;

B Medical System CEO Luc Provost and Deputy CEO Jesal Doshi are in India for a week-long visit to Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. The formalities of the plant are expected to be completed this week.

Company CEO Luc Provost said that his company will be involved in "transfer technology from Luxembourg to India to produce quality products", while Deputy CEO Jesal pointed out, India could "replicate the success for the transportation of the vaccines".

The portable covid vaccine refrigerator they will be manufacturing can carry different vaccine covid vaccine requiring different temperatures--from Pfizer's covid vaccine at -70 or Moderna COVID vaccine at -20. Their solar-powered units are capable of running for a month with one-day exposure to the Sun.

Provost and Doshi spoke with WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal in New Delhi

WION: With what mandate you are in India vis-a-vis the setting up of plant

Luc Provost: We are here to set up manufacturing plant and transfer technology from Luxembourg to India to produce quality products in the vaccination project

WION: You will visit many cities if you can give detail of it...

Jesal Doshi: It was only in November that two prime ministers met, and all of us here are impressed with the vision that Prime Minister Modi has shown and the speed at which govt has acted to follow up on it. Less than 2 weeks, after that summit we are physically here in Delhi in COVID times. That is in itself an incredible achievement. We have a week full of meetings, we will be in Delhi, we will be in Hyderabad, we will be in Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad meeting various stakeholders as well as vaccine manufacturers.

WION: What is the differentiating factor between your products and products available?

Luc Provost: Actually, B Medical has been in this business for 4 decades and has been leading the market, and we helped build up extremely, very high intelligence of our products, high-quality products, so you will find existing products around the world which satisfy similar needs, but not as same security as B Medical can offer and same quality.&nbsp;

Just as reference points, we have products with failure rate below 0.3% and we offer 10 years warranty on our products because they are so robust and well designed. we'll produce in Luxembourg and we will live to bring the product to India.

WION: How will your company setting up plant help Indian govt's Atmanirbhar Bharat project?

Jesal Doshi: India even today manufactures 60% of the world's vaccines. And honestly, I don't find any reason why they can't replicate the success for the transportation of the vaccines, which is sometimes even more critical than even the vaccine itself.&nbsp;

Because if you transport it incorrectly, you lose the potency of the vaccine. So, I think, there is huge potential in India as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to create many jobs in the sector and I am very very excited being Indian myself, as part of this.

WION: If you can give a detail of the portable refrigerator equipment that will be produced in India.

Luc Provost: The beauty of our equipment is that you can use the same equipment, for multiple usage. The transport container you are talking about can transport Pfizer vaccine at -70 degree, Moderna vaccine at -20 degree, in perfectly safe conditions, and also the standard vaccine at +4 degree for a week.&nbsp;

But we don't manufacture portable solutions, we manufacture stationary solutions, so vaccine refrigerators. We have products that can store refrigerated and a frozen vaccine. It gives flexibility to governments in the immunization programme is a huge risk reducer, to buy the right product.

WION: When will things move on ground, we can have the actual project working.

Jesal Doshi: From our perspective, we have already set-in place several steps. For example, the senior team that will lead our operations has been identified and recruited. We have already, placed order for equipment, in terms of assembly line that will be set up. We have done lot of things already, and I believe that we will have plant operational by March next year which is an extremely tight timeline.

B Medical System, a firm from Luxembourg that will be building portable and non-portable covid vaccine refrigerators for Indian government will set up plant in India.

B Medical System, a firm from Luxembourg that will be building portable and non-portable covid vaccine refrigerators for Indian government will set up plant in India. The plant will be up and running by mid-March in Gujarat. This is the direct outcome of the virtual summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Luxembourg PM Xavier Bettel. B Medical System CEO Luc Provost and Deputy CEO Jesal Doshi are in India for a week-long visit to Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. The formalities of the plant are expected to be completed this week. Company CEO Luc Provost said that his company will be involved in "transfer technology from Luxembourg to India to produce quality products", while Deputy CEO Jesal pointed out, India could "replicate the success for the transportation of the vaccines". The portable covid vaccine refrigerator they will be manufacturing can carry different vaccine covid vaccine requiring different temperatures--from Pfizer's covid vaccine at -70 or Moderna COVID vaccine at -20. Their solar-powered units are capable of running for a month with one-day exposure to the Sun. Provost and Doshi spoke with WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal in New Delhi WION: With what mandate you are in India vis-a-vis the setting up of plant Luc Provost: We are here to set up manufacturing plant and transfer technology from Luxembourg to India to produce quality products in the vaccination project WION: You will visit many cities if you can give detail of it... Jesal Doshi: It was only in November that two prime ministers met, and all of us here are impressed with the vision that Prime Minister Modi has shown and the speed at which govt has acted to follow up on it. Less than 2 weeks, after that summit we are physically here in Delhi in COVID times. That is in itself an incredible achievement. We have a week full of meetings, we will be in Delhi, we will be in Hyderabad, we will be in Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad meeting various stakeholders as well as vaccine manufacturers. WION: What is the differentiating factor between your products and products available? Luc Provost: Actually, B Medical has been in this business for 4 decades and has been leading the market, and we helped build up extremely, very high intelligence of our products, high-quality products, so you will find existing products around the world which satisfy similar needs, but not as same security as B Medical can offer and same quality. Just as reference points, we have products with failure rate below 0.3% and we offer 10 years warranty on our products because they are so robust and well designed. we'll produce in Luxembourg and we will live to bring the product to India. WION: How will your company setting up plant help Indian govt's Atmanirbhar Bharat project? Jesal Doshi: India even today manufactures 60% of the world's vaccines. And honestly, I don't find any reason why they can't replicate the success for the transportation of the vaccines, which is sometimes even more critical than even the vaccine itself. Because if you transport it incorrectly, you lose the potency of the vaccine. So, I think, there is huge potential in India as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to create many jobs in the sector and I am very very excited being Indian myself, as part of this. WION: If you can give a detail of the portable refrigerator equipment that will be produced in India. Luc Provost: The beauty of our equipment is that you can use the same equipment, for multiple usage. The transport container you are talking about can transport Pfizer vaccine at -70 degree, Moderna vaccine at -20 degree, in perfectly safe conditions, and also the standard vaccine at +4 degree for a week. But we don't manufacture portable solutions, we manufacture stationary solutions, so vaccine refrigerators. We have products that can store refrigerated and a frozen vaccine. It gives flexibility to governments in the immunization programme is a huge risk reducer, to buy the right product. WION: When will things move on ground, we can have the actual project working. Jesal Doshi: From our perspective, we have already set-in place several steps. For example, the senior team that will lead our operations has been identified and recruited. We have already, placed order for equipment, in terms of assembly line that will be set up. We have done lot of things already, and I believe that we will have plant operational by March next year which is an extremely tight timeline.

Luxembourg firm key to India's COVID immunisation to hold talk to set-up plant

In the wake of a Ranthambore tiger being spotted with wire snare around its neck, the forest department of the Rajasthan government has issued a `Red Alert` till February 28, 2021 for all wildlife reserves, sanctuaries, and parks in the state.

Under the `Red Alert`, all forest officials have been directed to intensify search operations and seek local police assistance to nab hunters and criminals.

The order issued on Saturday says, "All forest officials under the `Red Alert` have been directed to intensify search operations and seek help from local police to nab hunters and criminals. The department further cancels leaves of all field officers, and directions have been issued for effective patrolling against illegal activities in protected areas," it says further.

The order also added that reports had earlier been received from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve about animals being caught in traps laid by hunters.

"Recently, five hunters have also been arrested in Mount Abu for hunting a sambar deer, looking to which red alert has been announced till February 2021," it said.

Forest department`s senior officer Shruti Sharma gave clear orders that all officers and employees will work seriously in hunting for the hunters during the red alert.

Earlier, a total of 26 tigers have also been reported missing from Ranthambore.

The tiger T-108 spotted with wire has raised many questions, such as, have these tigers also fallen prey like T-108? What happened to them is yet to be answered by the forest department officials.

Rajsamand MP, Diya Kumari, earlier in August had sent a letter to Union Minister of Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar and raised a demand to issue necessary guidelines to the state government for investigating the causes of the recent tiger deaths so that such incidents do not recur.

In the wake of a Ranthambore tiger being spotted with wire snare around its neck, the forest department of the Rajasthan government has issued a `Red Alert` till February 28, 2021 for all wildlife reserves, sanctuaries, and parks in the state.

In the wake of a Ranthambore tiger being spotted with wire snare around its neck, the forest department of the Rajasthan government has issued a `Red Alert` till February 28, 2021 for all wildlife reserves, sanctuaries, and parks in the state. Under the `Red Alert`, all forest officials have been directed to intensify search operations and seek local police assistance to nab hunters and criminals. The order issued on Saturday says, "All forest officials under the `Red Alert` have been directed to intensify search operations and seek help from local police to nab hunters and criminals. The department further cancels leaves of all field officers, and directions have been issued for effective patrolling against illegal activities in protected areas," it says further. The order also added that reports had earlier been received from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve about animals being caught in traps laid by hunters. "Recently, five hunters have also been arrested in Mount Abu for hunting a sambar deer, looking to which red alert has been announced till February 2021," it said. Forest department`s senior officer Shruti Sharma gave clear orders that all officers and employees will work seriously in hunting for the hunters during the red alert. Earlier, a total of 26 tigers have also been reported missing from Ranthambore. The tiger T-108 spotted with wire has raised many questions, such as, have these tigers also fallen prey like T-108? What happened to them is yet to be answered by the forest department officials. Rajsamand MP, Diya Kumari, earlier in August had sent a letter to Union Minister of Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar and raised a demand to issue necessary guidelines to the state government for investigating the causes of the recent tiger deaths so that such incidents do not recur.

Red alert in Rajasthan after tiger spotted with wire snare around neck

Gujarat has started preparations for the COVID-19 vaccination, which would start with around 3.96 lakh healthcare workers, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Saturday.

"The Gujarat government has put together a cold chain infrastructure to store and transport the COVID-19 vaccine and made lists of priority beneficiaries. The first priority will be given to healthcare workers," he said while addressing the convocation ceremony at Marwadi University on Saturday.&nbsp;

"Around 3.96 lakh healthcare workers, including 2.71 lakh government doctors, nurses, and lab technicians as well as 1.25 lakh doctors, nurses, lab technicians and employees of private hospitals engaged in the COVID-19 duty will be given the first priority. People who will be vaccinated will be notified in advance through SMS about the date, time, and place," he added.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pfizer-seeks-emergency-approval-for-covid-vaccine-in-india-347819">Pfizer seeks emergency approval for Covid vaccine in India</a> 
 
He further said permanent refrigeration facility is available across 2,189 Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres.&nbsp;

"The Union government has provided 150 out of 169 ice-lined refrigerators. The state will also arrange for 30 deep freezers," he said.

Meanwhile, the CM gave gold medals to the toppers during the convocation ceremony.

Gujarat has started preparations for the COVID-19 vaccination, which would start with around 3.96 lakh healthcare workers, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Saturday.

Gujarat has started preparations for the COVID-19 vaccination, which would start with around 3.96 lakh healthcare workers, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Saturday. "The Gujarat government has put together a cold chain infrastructure to store and transport the COVID-19 vaccine and made lists of priority beneficiaries. The first priority will be given to healthcare workers," he said while addressing the convocation ceremony at Marwadi University on Saturday. "Around 3.96 lakh healthcare workers, including 2.71 lakh government doctors, nurses, and lab technicians as well as 1.25 lakh doctors, nurses, lab technicians and employees of private hospitals engaged in the COVID-19 duty will be given the first priority. People who will be vaccinated will be notified in advance through SMS about the date, time, and place," he added. Also Read | Pfizer seeks emergency approval for Covid vaccine in India He further said permanent refrigeration facility is available across 2,189 Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres. "The Union government has provided 150 out of 169 ice-lined refrigerators. The state will also arrange for 30 deep freezers," he said. Meanwhile, the CM gave gold medals to the toppers during the convocation ceremony.

Gujarat has started preparations for COVID-19 vaccination: CM

India`s power ministry proposes letting coal-fired power plants keep selling power after completing their agreements with buyers, a letter seen by Reuters shows, despite national promises to close old plants to curb pollution.

The proposal, if approved, would help old coal plants earn additional revenue, increase liquidity in short-term power markets and help distribution companies in states facing a power deficit access cheaper power, the ministry said in the draft proposal dated Friday.

"It is in the consumer interest to keep the tariff of electricity as low as possible," says the letter sent to power departments of India`s states and the heads of federal government-run utilities such as NTPC Ltd.

Such a move would enable federal-run electricity generators such as NTPC "to sell power in any mode" after distribution companies exit an agreement upon the completion of the tenure, the ministry said.

Power Minister R.K. Singh and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have previously said they plan to shut old coal-fired power plants. The environment ministry has also pushed for shutting down coal plants, which account for 80% of India`s industrial pollution, if they do not comply with green laws.

The outcome remains unclear. The power ministry has sought comments from the states and the heads of federal government-run power generators. A final decision on the proposal is not imminent.

A senior power ministry official said on Sunday only inefficient plants would be shut down.

"Cost-effective utilities that provide cheap power will still be allowed to operate. Small, inefficient plants will be shut down," the official said.

Distribution companies operated by states such as Punjab, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha want to surrender power allocated by federal government-run utilities after the plants complete 25 years, the power ministry said.

The states cited reasons such as the availability of excess power and high cost of electricity as reasons for surrendering power allotted to them under the agreements.

A list compiled by the power ministry in 2019 shows distribution companies wanted to surrender power generated from utilities with a capacity of 5.75 gigawatts.

India`s power ministry proposes letting coal-fired power plants keep selling power after completing their agreements with buyers, a letter seen by Reuters shows, despite national promises to close old plants to curb pollution.

India`s power ministry proposes letting coal-fired power plants keep selling power after completing their agreements with buyers, a letter seen by Reuters shows, despite national promises to close old plants to curb pollution. The proposal, if approved, would help old coal plants earn additional revenue, increase liquidity in short-term power markets and help distribution companies in states facing a power deficit access cheaper power, the ministry said in the draft proposal dated Friday. "It is in the consumer interest to keep the tariff of electricity as low as possible," says the letter sent to power departments of India`s states and the heads of federal government-run utilities such as NTPC Ltd. Such a move would enable federal-run electricity generators such as NTPC "to sell power in any mode" after distribution companies exit an agreement upon the completion of the tenure, the ministry said. Power Minister R.K. Singh and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have previously said they plan to shut old coal-fired power plants. The environment ministry has also pushed for shutting down coal plants, which account for 80% of India`s industrial pollution, if they do not comply with green laws. The outcome remains unclear. The power ministry has sought comments from the states and the heads of federal government-run power generators. A final decision on the proposal is not imminent. A senior power ministry official said on Sunday only inefficient plants would be shut down. "Cost-effective utilities that provide cheap power will still be allowed to operate. Small, inefficient plants will be shut down," the official said. Distribution companies operated by states such as Punjab, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha want to surrender power allocated by federal government-run utilities after the plants complete 25 years, the power ministry said. The states cited reasons such as the availability of excess power and high cost of electricity as reasons for surrendering power allotted to them under the agreements. A list compiled by the power ministry in 2019 shows distribution companies wanted to surrender power generated from utilities with a capacity of 5.75 gigawatts.

India plans to allow relinquished coal-fired plants to sell power

As the deadlock between farmers and Indian government continues, India's grand old party on Sunday has said that it will support the nationwide strike on Tuesday.

Congress on Sunday said that the party has its "whole-hearted" support to 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-chief-extends-support-to-farmers-protest-in-india-347867">UN chief extends support to farmers protest in India</a>

"I would also like to announce that the Congress party extends its whole-hearted support to the Bharat Bandh on December 8," said Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, as quoted by news agency PTI.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/diljit-dosanjh-makes-surprise-appearance-at-singhu-border-to-support-farmers-347750">Diljit Dosanjh makes surprise appearance at Singhu border to support farmers</a>

"All our district headquarters and Pradesh headquarters will participate in this bandh. They will hold demonstrations and ensure that the bandh is successful."&nbsp;

He also said that senior party leader Rahul Gandhi through tractor rallies and farmer demonstrations is extending the party's support to farmers' cause.&nbsp;

Actor-Politician Kamal Hassan has also extended his support to the demonstrations and said that his Makkal Needhi Maiam will protest with the farmers soon.&nbsp;

Thousands of farmers are protesting from 11 days against the three farms laws that were passed in September on borders of Delhi.&nbsp;

A fifth-round of talks on Saturday between farmer leaders and some union ministers was also unable to end the deadlock as farmers stuck to their demand of revoking the laws.&nbsp;

The also went on a 'maun vrat', demanding a strict 'yes' or 'no' to their demands. 
&nbsp;

As the deadlock between farmers and Indian government continues, India's grand old party on Sunday has said that it will support the nationwide strike on Tuesday.

As the deadlock between farmers and Indian government continues, India's grand old party on Sunday has said that it will support the nationwide strike on Tuesday. Congress on Sunday said that the party has its "whole-hearted" support to 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8. Also read | UN chief extends support to farmers protest in India "I would also like to announce that the Congress party extends its whole-hearted support to the Bharat Bandh on December 8," said Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, as quoted by news agency PTI. Also read | Diljit Dosanjh makes surprise appearance at Singhu border to support farmers "All our district headquarters and Pradesh headquarters will participate in this bandh. They will hold demonstrations and ensure that the bandh is successful." He also said that senior party leader Rahul Gandhi through tractor rallies and farmer demonstrations is extending the party's support to farmers' cause. Actor-Politician Kamal Hassan has also extended his support to the demonstrations and said that his Makkal Needhi Maiam will protest with the farmers soon. Thousands of farmers are protesting from 11 days against the three farms laws that were passed in September on borders of Delhi. A fifth-round of talks on Saturday between farmer leaders and some union ministers was also unable to end the deadlock as farmers stuck to their demand of revoking the laws. The also went on a 'maun vrat', demanding a strict 'yes' or 'no' to their demands.

Congress extends support to 'Bharat Bandh' as deadlock between farmers, govt continues

Indian capital New Delhi is expected to receive first batch of coronavirus vaccines by the end of December, reported IANS citing quoted by officials of the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital. Cold chain points across the country are remodelling themselves to support storage of COVID-19 vaccine.

BL Sherwal, medical director of the hospital, said that a separate facility in the hospital has been demarcated to store the vaccine doses which are expected to arrive by the month end.

"The vaccine doses would arrive at the storage units by the end of December. To store them in Delhi, we have demarcated a building on the campus which is currently undergoing refurbishment," he said.

Centre has found a three-storey building in the hospiptal premises to be suitable for storage of the vaccine.

Sherwal informed IANS that the Centre is providing deep refrigerators of different kinds to support the storage temperature of the variety of vaccines which are currently under different stages of clinical trials.

"The Centre would provide us with deep refrigerators with storage capacity ranging from -20 to -70-degree Celsius. Besides, model 228, which are regular refrigerators used to store medical drugs, would also come along," Sherwal told IANS.

He also said that the refurbishment of the demarcated vaccine storage facility would be completed in the next few days while the deep refrigerators would arrive by mid-December. "Currently, we are remodelling the electrical points and other infrastructure as per the requirements of the deep refrigerators," Sherwal added.

The Centre had recently asked the states and Union Territories to review cold storage and refrigerated vans used for the already existing universal immunisation programme. Under the programme, around 28,000 cold chain points are used, along with 700 refrigerated vans.

The Centre has also drawn up a plan under which the first dose of vaccine, whichever candidate is available, will first be administered to 1 crore healthcare workers across the country.

Five vaccine candidates are in various stages of trials in India under the Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, Zydus Cadila, Russian Sputnik - V in collaboration with Dr Reddy, and Biological E.

The Pune-based Serum Institute of India, which is testing and manufacturing the Oxford-AstraZeneca candidate, has said that it will apply for emergency marketing authorisation of the vaccine in little over a month`s time. The vaccine being manufactured by it can be stored at temperatures between 2 and 8-degree Celsius.

The lowest minimum temperature at which vaccines can be kept to maintain the cold chain in most areas in the country is -25-degree Celsius as there is only one vaccine in India -- Bharat Biotech`s Rotavirus vaccine -- which needs to be stored at -20-degree Celsius.

(With IANS inputs)

Indian capital New Delhi is expected to receive first batch of coronavirus vaccines by the end of December, reported IANS citing quoted by officials of the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital.

Indian capital New Delhi is expected to receive first batch of coronavirus vaccines by the end of December, reported IANS citing quoted by officials of the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital. Cold chain points across the country are remodelling themselves to support storage of COVID-19 vaccine. BL Sherwal, medical director of the hospital, said that a separate facility in the hospital has been demarcated to store the vaccine doses which are expected to arrive by the month end. "The vaccine doses would arrive at the storage units by the end of December. To store them in Delhi, we have demarcated a building on the campus which is currently undergoing refurbishment," he said. Centre has found a three-storey building in the hospiptal premises to be suitable for storage of the vaccine. Sherwal informed IANS that the Centre is providing deep refrigerators of different kinds to support the storage temperature of the variety of vaccines which are currently under different stages of clinical trials. "The Centre would provide us with deep refrigerators with storage capacity ranging from -20 to -70-degree Celsius. Besides, model 228, which are regular refrigerators used to store medical drugs, would also come along," Sherwal told IANS. He also said that the refurbishment of the demarcated vaccine storage facility would be completed in the next few days while the deep refrigerators would arrive by mid-December. "Currently, we are remodelling the electrical points and other infrastructure as per the requirements of the deep refrigerators," Sherwal added. The Centre had recently asked the states and Union Territories to review cold storage and refrigerated vans used for the already existing universal immunisation programme. Under the programme, around 28,000 cold chain points are used, along with 700 refrigerated vans. The Centre has also drawn up a plan under which the first dose of vaccine, whichever candidate is available, will first be administered to 1 crore healthcare workers across the country. Five vaccine candidates are in various stages of trials in India under the Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, Zydus Cadila, Russian Sputnik - V in collaboration with Dr Reddy, and Biological E. The Pune-based Serum Institute of India, which is testing and manufacturing the Oxford-AstraZeneca candidate, has said that it will apply for emergency marketing authorisation of the vaccine in little over a month`s time. The vaccine being manufactured by it can be stored at temperatures between 2 and 8-degree Celsius. The lowest minimum temperature at which vaccines can be kept to maintain the cold chain in most areas in the country is -25-degree Celsius as there is only one vaccine in India -- Bharat Biotech`s Rotavirus vaccine -- which needs to be stored at -20-degree Celsius. (With IANS inputs)

Coronavirus vaccine doses to arrive in Delhi by December end, says official

The BJP on Saturday slammed Canada's stand on farmers' protests in India as "nothing but hypocrisy", saying it is a strident critic of minimum support price and other agricultural policies at the WTO, and often questions India's domestic agricultural measures, including food and livelihood security.

"It (Canada) also opposes import restrictions to protect India's farmers. The questions posed by Canada to India regarding India's agri policies in WTO are evidence of the fact that Canada has scarce interest in the genuine well-being of Indian farmers and agriculture producers," BJP's foreign affairs department in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale tweeted.

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PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji has given topmost priority to enhance farmers' income by increasing MSP, giving better access to technology and providing adequate insurance cover for agri products against natural calamities. Unfortunately, Canada has refused to acknowledge it.
— Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale (@vijai63) <a href="https://twitter.com/vijai63/status/1335067588880044034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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It also opposes import restrictions to protect India's farmers. The questions posed by Canada to India regarding India’s agri policies in WTO are evidence of the fact that Canada has scarce interest in the genuine well-being of Indian farmers and agriculture producers.
— Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale (@vijai63) <a href="https://twitter.com/vijai63/status/1335067586485047296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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It also opposes import restrictions to protect India's farmers. The questions posed by Canada to India regarding India’s agri policies in WTO are evidence of the fact that Canada has scarce interest in the genuine well-being of Indian farmers and agriculture producers.
— Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale (@vijai63) <a href="https://twitter.com/vijai63/status/1335067586485047296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had recently backed the agitating farmers in India, saying his country will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protests. He had expressed concern over the situation.

Reacting strongly, India on Friday summoned Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel and told him that the comments made by Trudeau and others in his cabinet on the protests were an "unacceptable interference" in the country's internal affairs and these actions, if continued, will have a "seriously damaging" impact on bilateral ties.

In a series of tweets tagging Trudeau and Patel, Chauthaiwale said, "Canada's criticism of India on farmer's issues is nothing but hypocrisy. Canada is strident critic of MSP and other agriculture policies at the WTO, and often questions India's domestic agriculture measures including food and livelihood security."

Noting that Canada is a member of the Cairns Group of agri exporters, he said the body's objective in WTO negotiations is to seek increased market access in countries like India.

It also seeks reduction in the agri subsidies provided to domestic producers, even if such subsidies are subsistence-level, he said.

"It also opposes import restrictions to protect India's farmers. The questions posed by Canada to India regarding India's agri policies in WTO are evidence of the fact that Canada has scarce interest in the genuine well-being of Indian farmers and agriculture producers," the BJP leader said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given topmost priority to enhance farmers' income by increasing minimum support price, giving better access to technology and providing adequate insurance cover for agri products against natural calamities, he said, adding that "Unfortunately, Canada has refused to acknowledge it".&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The BJP on Saturday slammed Canada's stand on farmers' protests in India as "nothing but hypocrisy", saying it is a strident critic of minimum support price and other agricultural policies at the WTO, and often questions India's domestic agricultural measures, including food and livelihood security.

The BJP on Saturday slammed Canada's stand on farmers' protests in India as "nothing but hypocrisy", saying it is a strident critic of minimum support price and other agricultural policies at the WTO, and often questions India's domestic agricultural measures, including food and livelihood security. "It (Canada) also opposes import restrictions to protect India's farmers. The questions posed by Canada to India regarding India's agri policies in WTO are evidence of the fact that Canada has scarce interest in the genuine well-being of Indian farmers and agriculture producers," BJP's foreign affairs department in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale tweeted. PM @narendramodi ji has given topmost priority to enhance farmers' income by increasing MSP, giving better access to technology and providing adequate insurance cover for agri products against natural calamities. Unfortunately, Canada has refused to acknowledge it. — Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale (@vijai63) December 5, 2020 × It also opposes import restrictions to protect India's farmers. The questions posed by Canada to India regarding India’s agri policies in WTO are evidence of the fact that Canada has scarce interest in the genuine well-being of Indian farmers and agriculture producers. — Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale (@vijai63) December 5, 2020 × It also opposes import restrictions to protect India's farmers. The questions posed by Canada to India regarding India’s agri policies in WTO are evidence of the fact that Canada has scarce interest in the genuine well-being of Indian farmers and agriculture producers. — Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale (@vijai63) December 5, 2020 × Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had recently backed the agitating farmers in India, saying his country will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protests. He had expressed concern over the situation. Reacting strongly, India on Friday summoned Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel and told him that the comments made by Trudeau and others in his cabinet on the protests were an "unacceptable interference" in the country's internal affairs and these actions, if continued, will have a "seriously damaging" impact on bilateral ties. In a series of tweets tagging Trudeau and Patel, Chauthaiwale said, "Canada's criticism of India on farmer's issues is nothing but hypocrisy. Canada is strident critic of MSP and other agriculture policies at the WTO, and often questions India's domestic agriculture measures including food and livelihood security." Noting that Canada is a member of the Cairns Group of agri exporters, he said the body's objective in WTO negotiations is to seek increased market access in countries like India. It also seeks reduction in the agri subsidies provided to domestic producers, even if such subsidies are subsistence-level, he said. "It also opposes import restrictions to protect India's farmers. The questions posed by Canada to India regarding India's agri policies in WTO are evidence of the fact that Canada has scarce interest in the genuine well-being of Indian farmers and agriculture producers," the BJP leader said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given topmost priority to enhance farmers' income by increasing minimum support price, giving better access to technology and providing adequate insurance cover for agri products against natural calamities, he said, adding that "Unfortunately, Canada has refused to acknowledge it".

Canada opposes MSP, has scarce interest in well-being of Indian farmers: BJP

India on Saturday witnessed 36,652 new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus </a>cases, taking the overall caseload to 9,608,211.&nbsp;

As many as 512 people died in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 139,700 and 9,058,822 have recuperated from the deadly virus, pushing the recovery rate to 94.28 per cent, according to the latest updates by the health ministry.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-vaccine-may-be-ready-in-few-weeks-waiting-for-experts-nod-pm-modi-347455/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

India's case fatality rate stands at 1.45 per cent.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-covid-19-vaccine-target-1-out-of-5-citizen-to-get-jab-by-july-2021-347578">India's COVID-19 vaccine target: 1 out of 5 citizen to get jab by July, 2021</a>

Presently, there are 4,09,689 active Covid-19 cases in the country, which is 4.26 per cent of the total cases.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in a positive development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that India will get a Covid-19 vaccine "within weeks".&nbsp;

"Experts believe it will not be a long wait for a Covid-19 vaccine. It is believed that in the next few weeks, a Covid-19 vaccine will be ready. As soon as scientists give the green signal, immunisation will start in India," said Modi in a virtual meet.&nbsp;

The Indian prime minister's remarks came at a time when the United Kingdom has already given emergency authorisation to Pfizez-BioNTech vaccine to treat coronavirus and it is expected the US will also grant a similar approval soon.&nbsp;

Globally, the overall death toll from Covid-19 is more than 1.5 million with cases surpassing 65 million, according to a tally compiled by news agency AFP on Friday.

India on Saturday witnessed 36,652 new coronavirus cases, taking the overall caseload to 9,608,211. As many as 512 people died in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 139,700 and 9,058,822 have recuperated from the deadly virus, pushing the recovery rate to 94.

India on Saturday witnessed 36,652 new coronavirus cases, taking the overall caseload to 9,608,211. As many as 512 people died in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 139,700 and 9,058,822 have recuperated from the deadly virus, pushing the recovery rate to 94.28 per cent, according to the latest updates by the health ministry. Watch | India's case fatality rate stands at 1.45 per cent. Also read | India's COVID-19 vaccine target: 1 out of 5 citizen to get jab by July, 2021 Presently, there are 4,09,689 active Covid-19 cases in the country, which is 4.26 per cent of the total cases. Meanwhile, in a positive development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that India will get a Covid-19 vaccine "within weeks". "Experts believe it will not be a long wait for a Covid-19 vaccine. It is believed that in the next few weeks, a Covid-19 vaccine will be ready. As soon as scientists give the green signal, immunisation will start in India," said Modi in a virtual meet. The Indian prime minister's remarks came at a time when the United Kingdom has already given emergency authorisation to Pfizez-BioNTech vaccine to treat coronavirus and it is expected the US will also grant a similar approval soon. Globally, the overall death toll from Covid-19 is more than 1.5 million with cases surpassing 65 million, according to a tally compiled by news agency AFP on Friday.

India adds 36,652 new coronavirus cases; death toll stands at 139,700

The United Nations Covid-19 summit passed up a pre-recorded video message from Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the world`s largest vaccine manufacturer, who was scheduled to speak in an afternoon session headlined `The Road to a COVID-19 Vaccine - a Global Public Good.` 
 
"Unfortunately, the video couldn`t be provided in time in the required format," General Assembly spokesman Brenden Varma told IANS. Varma did not provide details on the required format or whether the video arrived and when. 
 
Poonawallah, however, seemed all set for the play-out. "It will be my honour and privilege tonight, to address over a hundred world leaders and nations at the UN special session on COVID19, highlighting India`s crucial role and contribution in fighting this unprecedented global pandemic," he had tweeted. 
 
Poonawalla`s remarks were to follow after a global state-of-play summary by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and a panel featuring BioNTech CEO Prof. Ugur Sahin, Dr. Ozlem Tureci and Prof. Sarah Gilbert from the Oxford University/AstraZeneca trial. 
 
The United Nations General Assembly took more than nine months months to put together this special two-day session on Covid-19 featuring the world`s leading scientists and collaborative vaccine efforts. 
 
Poonawalla`s Serum Institute of India (SII) is mass manufacturing the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and hopes to file for an emergency authorization within weeks. After a 28 November visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the company`s headquarters in Pune, Poonawalla said he expects the Indian government to buy 300 million to 400 million doses of `Covishield` by July 2021. 
 
AstraZeneca reported that its vaccine was, on average, 70 per cent effective at preventing Covid-19 illness. About 3,000 participants were given the half dose and then a full dose four weeks later, and this provided the best efficacy in the trial - around 90 per cent. In the larger group of nearly 9,000 volunteers, who were given two full doses four weeks apart, efficacy was 62 per cent.

The United Nations Covid-19 summit passed up a pre-recorded video message from Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the world`s largest vaccine manufacturer, who was scheduled to speak in an afternoon session headlined `The Road to a COVID-19 Vaccine - a Global Public Good.

The United Nations Covid-19 summit passed up a pre-recorded video message from Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the world`s largest vaccine manufacturer, who was scheduled to speak in an afternoon session headlined `The Road to a COVID-19 Vaccine - a Global Public Good.` "Unfortunately, the video couldn`t be provided in time in the required format," General Assembly spokesman Brenden Varma told IANS. Varma did not provide details on the required format or whether the video arrived and when. Poonawallah, however, seemed all set for the play-out. "It will be my honour and privilege tonight, to address over a hundred world leaders and nations at the UN special session on COVID19, highlighting India`s crucial role and contribution in fighting this unprecedented global pandemic," he had tweeted. Poonawalla`s remarks were to follow after a global state-of-play summary by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and a panel featuring BioNTech CEO Prof. Ugur Sahin, Dr. Ozlem Tureci and Prof. Sarah Gilbert from the Oxford University/AstraZeneca trial. The United Nations General Assembly took more than nine months months to put together this special two-day session on Covid-19 featuring the world`s leading scientists and collaborative vaccine efforts. Poonawalla`s Serum Institute of India (SII) is mass manufacturing the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and hopes to file for an emergency authorization within weeks. After a 28 November visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the company`s headquarters in Pune, Poonawalla said he expects the Indian government to buy 300 million to 400 million doses of `Covishield` by July 2021. AstraZeneca reported that its vaccine was, on average, 70 per cent effective at preventing Covid-19 illness. About 3,000 participants were given the half dose and then a full dose four weeks later, and this provided the best efficacy in the trial - around 90 per cent. In the larger group of nearly 9,000 volunteers, who were given two full doses four weeks apart, efficacy was 62 per cent.

Citing tech issues, UN Covid-19 summit nixes Adar Poonawalla video

Delhi's air quality turned "severe" on Saturday with slow wind speed allowing the accumulation of "locally generated" pollutants, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials.

However, it is expected to improve by Monday as the wind speed is likely to pick up.&nbsp;At 10 am, the city's air quality index (AQI) was 401, which falls in the "severe" category.

The 24-hour average AQI was 382 on Friday, 341 on Thursday, 373 on Wednesday, 367 on Tuesday, 318 on Monday and 268 on Sunday.

Air pollution in the neighbouring cities of Ghaziabad (AQI 446), Greater Noida (401) and Noida (406) also entered the "severe" zone.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

The wind speed remained slow allowing the accumulation of pollutants generated locally, V K Soni, head of the IMD's environment research centre said.

"Easterly winds carrying moisture also led to the formation of secondary particulate matter. All these factors together pushed the air quality in the 'severe' zone," he said.

However, Soni said, the air quality is likely to improve to the "poor" category by Monday as the wind speed is expected to pick up.

According to the IMD, the maximum wind speed is likely to be 8 kmph on Saturday, 10 kmph on Sunday and 15 kmph on Monday.

The minimum temperature in Delhi was 11 degrees Celsius on Saturday and the maximum is expected to settle around 28 degrees Celsius, the weather department said.

However, the minimum temperature is likely to dip again with the wind direction changing to northwesterly by Monday, according to IMD officials.

Westerly and northwesterly winds blow from snow-laden western Himalayas towards the plains. Shallow to moderate fog is also predicted over the next two days, the IMD said.

The minimum temperature this season has remained 2-3 notches below normal in the absence of a cloud cover on most days, according to IMD officials.

Calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, while favourable wind speed helps in their dispersion.

The central government's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi said the city's ventilation index -- a product of mixing depth and average wind speed -- is likely to be 2,500 m2/s on Friday.

Mixing depth is the vertical height at which pollutants are suspended in the air. It reduces on cold days with calm wind speed. 
A ventilation index lower than 6,000 sqm/second, with the average wind speed less than 10 kmph, is unfavourable for the dispersal of pollutants.

Delhi's air quality turned "severe" on Saturday with slow wind speed allowing the accumulation of "locally generated" pollutants, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials.

Delhi's air quality turned "severe" on Saturday with slow wind speed allowing the accumulation of "locally generated" pollutants, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials. However, it is expected to improve by Monday as the wind speed is likely to pick up. At 10 am, the city's air quality index (AQI) was 401, which falls in the "severe" category. The 24-hour average AQI was 382 on Friday, 341 on Thursday, 373 on Wednesday, 367 on Tuesday, 318 on Monday and 268 on Sunday. Air pollution in the neighbouring cities of Ghaziabad (AQI 446), Greater Noida (401) and Noida (406) also entered the "severe" zone. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". The wind speed remained slow allowing the accumulation of pollutants generated locally, V K Soni, head of the IMD's environment research centre said. "Easterly winds carrying moisture also led to the formation of secondary particulate matter. All these factors together pushed the air quality in the 'severe' zone," he said. However, Soni said, the air quality is likely to improve to the "poor" category by Monday as the wind speed is expected to pick up. According to the IMD, the maximum wind speed is likely to be 8 kmph on Saturday, 10 kmph on Sunday and 15 kmph on Monday. The minimum temperature in Delhi was 11 degrees Celsius on Saturday and the maximum is expected to settle around 28 degrees Celsius, the weather department said. However, the minimum temperature is likely to dip again with the wind direction changing to northwesterly by Monday, according to IMD officials. Westerly and northwesterly winds blow from snow-laden western Himalayas towards the plains. Shallow to moderate fog is also predicted over the next two days, the IMD said. The minimum temperature this season has remained 2-3 notches below normal in the absence of a cloud cover on most days, according to IMD officials. Calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, while favourable wind speed helps in their dispersion. The central government's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi said the city's ventilation index -- a product of mixing depth and average wind speed -- is likely to be 2,500 m2/s on Friday. Mixing depth is the vertical height at which pollutants are suspended in the air. It reduces on cold days with calm wind speed. A ventilation index lower than 6,000 sqm/second, with the average wind speed less than 10 kmph, is unfavourable for the dispersal of pollutants.

Delhi's air quality 'severe'; moderate fog next 2 days: IMD

It's been almost eight to nine months since the majority of the offices shifted to 'work from home' as the coronavirus pandemic took over the world and sent countries into nationwide lockdowns.

Now, as the cases started decreasing, some of the offices re-opened the office spaces with 50 per cent capacity. However, the people working for the Delhi government have new 'work-from-home' guidelines now.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/haryana-minister-anil-vij-tests-positive-for-covid-19-after-trial-covaxin-shot-347705" hreflang="en">Haryana minister Anil Vij tests positive for COVID-19 after trial Covaxin shot</a>

The government employees working from home amid the pandemic now will have to be available for calls, emails, texts and WhatsApp messages at any given time, a new circular informed the employees.

"The officials allowed to work from home will remain available at any time, as and when so required, on phone, WhatsApp, messages and email. Any official allowed to work from home may be called to office, if required," the circular read.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-adds-36652-new-coronavirus-cases-death-toll-stands-at-139700-347634">India adds 36,652 new coronavirus cases; death toll stands at 139,700</a>

These employees are also not allowed to leave the national capital city, Delhi, without taking written permission from the respective bosses. The permission will be granted only in case of emergencies.

The reason behind this sudden announcement by the Delhi government has not been made clear yet. Some believe this may have prompted from some past incident. However, no confirmation has been provided by the Delhi government on this matter.

Last week, the Delhi government had asked different departments to make fresh schedules and allow 50% of the employees to work from home till the end of this year, i.e. December 31.

The statement came on the day when India recorded 36,652 new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>cases, taking the overall caseload to 9,608,211, and 512 deaths, taking the death toll to&nbsp;139,700.

It's been almost eight to nine months since the majority of the offices shifted to 'work from home' as the coronavirus pandemic took over the world and sent countries into nationwide lockdowns.

It's been almost eight to nine months since the majority of the offices shifted to 'work from home' as the coronavirus pandemic took over the world and sent countries into nationwide lockdowns. Now, as the cases started decreasing, some of the offices re-opened the office spaces with 50 per cent capacity. However, the people working for the Delhi government have new 'work-from-home' guidelines now. Also read| Haryana minister Anil Vij tests positive for COVID-19 after trial Covaxin shot The government employees working from home amid the pandemic now will have to be available for calls, emails, texts and WhatsApp messages at any given time, a new circular informed the employees. "The officials allowed to work from home will remain available at any time, as and when so required, on phone, WhatsApp, messages and email. Any official allowed to work from home may be called to office, if required," the circular read. Also read| India adds 36,652 new coronavirus cases; death toll stands at 139,700 These employees are also not allowed to leave the national capital city, Delhi, without taking written permission from the respective bosses. The permission will be granted only in case of emergencies. The reason behind this sudden announcement by the Delhi government has not been made clear yet. Some believe this may have prompted from some past incident. However, no confirmation has been provided by the Delhi government on this matter. Last week, the Delhi government had asked different departments to make fresh schedules and allow 50% of the employees to work from home till the end of this year, i.e. December 31. The statement came on the day when India recorded 36,652 new coronavirus cases, taking the overall caseload to 9,608,211, and 512 deaths, taking the death toll to 139,700.

Government employees working from home cannot leave city: Delhi govt

The singer-actor&nbsp;Diljit Dosanjh, who was recently in news for a verbal Twitter spat with Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, made a surprise guest appearance at the Haryana-Delhi border — Singhu border — to support the protesting farmers in India.

He addressed the gathering of hundreds of farmers at the border. He took to the stage and urged the government to listen and fulfil the farmer's requests. "We have only one request to Centre..please fulfil the demands of our farmers. Everyone is sitting here peacefully and entire country is with farmers," he said.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/farmer-protests-fifth-round-of-talks-between-govt-and-union-leaders-underway-347708">&nbsp;Farmer protests: Fifth round of talks between govt and union leaders underway</a>

"Hats off to all of you, farmers have created a new history. This history would be narrated to future generations. Farmers' issues shouldn't be diverted by anyone," he added.

Diljit recently had a verbal spat with the&nbsp;Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut on Twitter. The two had a long exchange of comments, which started with Diljit lending his support to the farmers and Ranaut name-calling an old lady who was involved in the protests.

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Delhi: Singer &amp; actor Diljit Singh Dosanjh addresses protesting farmers at Singhu border (Haryana-Delhi border) 
 
"We have only one request to Centre..please fulfil the demands of our farmers. Everyone is sitting here peacefully &amp; entire country is with farmers," he says <a href="https://t.co/H5ax67QsBX">pic.twitter.com/H5ax67QsBX</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1335194841450307587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Twitter spat was also highlighted for Diljit sticking to his native language, Punjabi, while drafting replies for the Hindi-speaking actress. Many people took to Twitter to later translate Dosanjh's tweets for the non-Punjabi speaking audience. This time, while addressing the farmers at the border, Dosanjh said he is purposely talking in Hindi to make sure no one has to Google the translations of his words, and he can efficiently send across his message.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/british-mps-support-indian-farmers-agitation-write-to-lawmaker-dominic-raab-347675" hreflang="en">British MPs support Indian farmers' agitation, write to lawmaker Dominic Raab</a>

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash are engaging in talks with the representatives of 40 farmers' unions at the Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trudeau-reiterates-comments-on-farmer-protests-amid-diplomatic-row-with-india-347592" hreflang="en">Trudeau reiterates comments on farmer protests amid diplomatic row with India</a>

"Our demand is the same that the government should withdraw all three farm laws. We want MSP should be guaranteed through the law," said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rajewal state general secretary Onkar Singh Agaul.

The farmers have also announced a 'Bharat Bandh' on December 08, and have threatened to block further in-ways to the national capital city, New Delhi, if the Government of India does not fulfil their demands. The farmers have warned the government that they will be willing to increase the intensity of the protests if their demand are not met.

The singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, who was recently in news for a verbal Twitter spat with Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, made a surprise guest appearance at the Haryana-Delhi border — Singhu border — to support the protesting farmers in India.

The singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, who was recently in news for a verbal Twitter spat with Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, made a surprise guest appearance at the Haryana-Delhi border — Singhu border — to support the protesting farmers in India. He addressed the gathering of hundreds of farmers at the border. He took to the stage and urged the government to listen and fulfil the farmer's requests. "We have only one request to Centre..please fulfil the demands of our farmers. Everyone is sitting here peacefully and entire country is with farmers," he said. Also read| Farmer protests: Fifth round of talks between govt and union leaders underway "Hats off to all of you, farmers have created a new history. This history would be narrated to future generations. Farmers' issues shouldn't be diverted by anyone," he added. Diljit recently had a verbal spat with the Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut on Twitter. The two had a long exchange of comments, which started with Diljit lending his support to the farmers and Ranaut name-calling an old lady who was involved in the protests. Delhi: Singer & actor Diljit Singh Dosanjh addresses protesting farmers at Singhu border (Haryana-Delhi border) "We have only one request to Centre..please fulfil the demands of our farmers. Everyone is sitting here peacefully & entire country is with farmers," he says pic.twitter.com/H5ax67QsBX — ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2020 × The Twitter spat was also highlighted for Diljit sticking to his native language, Punjabi, while drafting replies for the Hindi-speaking actress. Many people took to Twitter to later translate Dosanjh's tweets for the non-Punjabi speaking audience. This time, while addressing the farmers at the border, Dosanjh said he is purposely talking in Hindi to make sure no one has to Google the translations of his words, and he can efficiently send across his message. Also read| British MPs support Indian farmers' agitation, write to lawmaker Dominic Raab Meanwhile, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash are engaging in talks with the representatives of 40 farmers' unions at the Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi. Also read| Trudeau reiterates comments on farmer protests amid diplomatic row with India "Our demand is the same that the government should withdraw all three farm laws. We want MSP should be guaranteed through the law," said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rajewal state general secretary Onkar Singh Agaul. The farmers have also announced a 'Bharat Bandh' on December 08, and have threatened to block further in-ways to the national capital city, New Delhi, if the Government of India does not fulfil their demands. The farmers have warned the government that they will be willing to increase the intensity of the protests if their demand are not met.

Diljit Dosanjh makes surprise appearance at Singhu border to support farmers

An estimated one crore frontline health workers will receive the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine whenever it becomes available, with around 92 per cent of government hospitals and 55 per cent of private hospitals across all states and UTs providing data identifying the workers, official sources said.

Five vaccine candidates are in advanced stages of development in India, out of which four are in Phase II/III and one is in Phase-I/II trials.

States have been asked to accelerate the process of identifying frontline healthcare workers including doctors, MBBS students, nurses and ASHA workers etc so that the exercise gets completed in another one week.

It has asked states to do planning and mapping of vaccination sessions where healthcare workers will be vaccinated during the 1st phase and mapping human resources across departments that could be deployed for vaccination sessions for verification of beneficiaries, crowd management and overall coordination.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-to-vaccinate-10-million-healthcare-workers-first-347595">WATCH|&nbsp;</a>

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with chief ministers and other representatives of states and union territories via video conferencing on Tuesday to discuss the vaccine distribution strategy, sources said.

"Around 92 per cent of all government hospitals and 55 per cent of all private hospitals from across all states and UTs have provided data. The rest of the details will come in another week. We have asked the states to accelerate the process," an official source said.

The anti-coronavirus vaccine, once available, would be distributed under a special COVID-19 inoculation programme, using the processes, technology and network of the existing Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).

It would run parallel to the UIP.

The Centre, with the help of state and UT governments, has started the process of identifying around 30 crore priority beneficiaries who would be given vaccine dose in the initial phase, sources had said.

The government has demarcated four categories which include around 1 crore healthcare professionals including doctors, MBBS students, nurses and ASHA workers etc, around two crore frontline workers including municipal corporation workers, personnel of the police and armed forces, about 26 crore people aged above 50 and a special category of those below 50 with co-morbidities and requiring specialised care.

Health ministry's existing digital platform eVIN which is being used for the UIP is being enhanced for the COVID-18 vaccine distribution and delivery, through which SMSs would be sent to recipients informing the time, date and venue to get the shots and digitally connect them and also track them, sources had earlier said.

Each person in the immunisation list would be linked with their Aadhar cards to avoid duplication and to track beneficiaries.

However, in case a person doesn't have an Aadhar card, a government photo identity can be used, the sources said.

Five vaccines are under different phases of a clinical trial in India with the Serum Institute of India conducting a phase-3 trial of the Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine while the indigenously developed Bharat Biotech and ICMR vaccine has already started the phase III clinical trial.

Indigenously developed vaccine by Zydus Cadila has completed phase -2 clinical trial in the country.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories will soon start combined phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India.

Biological E. Ltd has started early phase 1 and 2 human trials of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had said that a COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be available by the first quarter of 2021.

He had said that the Centre estimates to receive and utilise 40-50 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine covering around 25 crore people by July next year.

"The prioritisation of groups for COVID-19 vaccine shall be based on two key considerations -- occupational hazard and risk of exposure to infection, and the risk of developing severe disease and increased mortality," he had said.

An estimated one crore frontline health workers will receive the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine whenever it becomes available, with around 92 per cent of government hospitals and 55 per cent of private hospitals across all states and UTs providing data identifying the workers, official sources said.

An estimated one crore frontline health workers will receive the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine whenever it becomes available, with around 92 per cent of government hospitals and 55 per cent of private hospitals across all states and UTs providing data identifying the workers, official sources said. Five vaccine candidates are in advanced stages of development in India, out of which four are in Phase II/III and one is in Phase-I/II trials. States have been asked to accelerate the process of identifying frontline healthcare workers including doctors, MBBS students, nurses and ASHA workers etc so that the exercise gets completed in another one week. It has asked states to do planning and mapping of vaccination sessions where healthcare workers will be vaccinated during the 1st phase and mapping human resources across departments that could be deployed for vaccination sessions for verification of beneficiaries, crowd management and overall coordination. WATCH| × Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with chief ministers and other representatives of states and union territories via video conferencing on Tuesday to discuss the vaccine distribution strategy, sources said. "Around 92 per cent of all government hospitals and 55 per cent of all private hospitals from across all states and UTs have provided data. The rest of the details will come in another week. We have asked the states to accelerate the process," an official source said. The anti-coronavirus vaccine, once available, would be distributed under a special COVID-19 inoculation programme, using the processes, technology and network of the existing Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). It would run parallel to the UIP. The Centre, with the help of state and UT governments, has started the process of identifying around 30 crore priority beneficiaries who would be given vaccine dose in the initial phase, sources had said. The government has demarcated four categories which include around 1 crore healthcare professionals including doctors, MBBS students, nurses and ASHA workers etc, around two crore frontline workers including municipal corporation workers, personnel of the police and armed forces, about 26 crore people aged above 50 and a special category of those below 50 with co-morbidities and requiring specialised care. Health ministry's existing digital platform eVIN which is being used for the UIP is being enhanced for the COVID-18 vaccine distribution and delivery, through which SMSs would be sent to recipients informing the time, date and venue to get the shots and digitally connect them and also track them, sources had earlier said. Each person in the immunisation list would be linked with their Aadhar cards to avoid duplication and to track beneficiaries. However, in case a person doesn't have an Aadhar card, a government photo identity can be used, the sources said. Five vaccines are under different phases of a clinical trial in India with the Serum Institute of India conducting a phase-3 trial of the Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine while the indigenously developed Bharat Biotech and ICMR vaccine has already started the phase III clinical trial. Indigenously developed vaccine by Zydus Cadila has completed phase -2 clinical trial in the country. Dr Reddy's Laboratories will soon start combined phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India. Biological E. Ltd has started early phase 1 and 2 human trials of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had said that a COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be available by the first quarter of 2021. He had said that the Centre estimates to receive and utilise 40-50 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine covering around 25 crore people by July next year. "The prioritisation of groups for COVID-19 vaccine shall be based on two key considerations -- occupational hazard and risk of exposure to infection, and the risk of developing severe disease and increased mortality," he had said.

COVID-19: One crore frontline healthcare workers identified to receive the vaccine in the first phase

As Cyclone Burevi continues to hover over the Gulf of Mannar, there has been heavy rain over Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu, resulting in waterlogging at several places, including the main entrance of the Thoothukudi Government Hospital.

The area outside the hospital has been covered in rainwater, and patients and other visitors waded through rainwater pools up to their ankles. Locals say that this is a recurring problem and the authorities should drain the water in the area as soon as possible.&nbsp;

"The hospital entrance looks like this every time it rains. Patients and ambulances can`t come in this way. All this water will take at least two to three weeks to drain. The authorities should manage the drainage here because people are struggling," said Sundhar, a local resident in the area.&nbsp;

Another resident, Kamalam, said that the rainwater mixes with sewage, thus increasing pollution and more mosquitoes breed.&nbsp;

"Rainwater outside my residence mixes with drainage water. The smell is very foul and more mosquitoes are bred. The situation in the government hospital is also the same. I request the government to find a permanent solution," she said.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, the India Meteorological Department informed that cyclone Burevi continued to hover over the Gulf of Mannar near the Ramanathan district coast, remaining `practically stationary` for the last 30 hours.&nbsp;

"The depression is likely to remain in the same state over the region and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area in the next 12 hours," the IMD added.&nbsp;

As Cyclone Burevi continues to hover over the Gulf of Mannar, there has been heavy rain over Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu, resulting in waterlogging at several places, including the main entrance of the Thoothukudi Government Hospital.

As Cyclone Burevi continues to hover over the Gulf of Mannar, there has been heavy rain over Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu, resulting in waterlogging at several places, including the main entrance of the Thoothukudi Government Hospital. The area outside the hospital has been covered in rainwater, and patients and other visitors waded through rainwater pools up to their ankles. Locals say that this is a recurring problem and the authorities should drain the water in the area as soon as possible. "The hospital entrance looks like this every time it rains. Patients and ambulances can`t come in this way. All this water will take at least two to three weeks to drain. The authorities should manage the drainage here because people are struggling," said Sundhar, a local resident in the area. Another resident, Kamalam, said that the rainwater mixes with sewage, thus increasing pollution and more mosquitoes breed. "Rainwater outside my residence mixes with drainage water. The smell is very foul and more mosquitoes are bred. The situation in the government hospital is also the same. I request the government to find a permanent solution," she said. Earlier in the day, the India Meteorological Department informed that cyclone Burevi continued to hover over the Gulf of Mannar near the Ramanathan district coast, remaining `practically stationary` for the last 30 hours. "The depression is likely to remain in the same state over the region and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area in the next 12 hours," the IMD added.

Cyclone Burevi causes rain in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district

The&nbsp;Haryana health minister Anil Vij has tested positive for the novel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> after taking a trial shot of&nbsp;Bharat Biotech's Covaxin <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a>.

"I have been tested Corona positive. I am admitted in Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. All those who have come in close contact to me are advised to get themselves tested for corona," he posted on Twitter.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-adds-36652-new-coronavirus-cases-death-toll-stands-at-139700-347634" hreflang="en">India adds 36,652 new coronavirus cases; death toll stands at 139,700</a>

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I have been tested Corona positive. I am admitted in Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. All those who have come in close contact to me are advised to get themselves tested for corona.
— ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) <a href="https://twitter.com/anilvijminister/status/1335093819654619137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Anil Vij, a&nbsp;Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, had taken a trial shot of India's COVID-19 vaccine's third phase of trial in Haryana on November 20. "I Will be administered trial dose of Coronavirus vaccine #Covaxin a Bharat Biotech product Tomorrow at 11 am at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantt under the expert supervision of a team of &nbsp;Doctors from PGI Rohtak and Health Department. I have volunteered to take the trial dose," he had announced through Twitter.

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I Will be administered trial dose of Coronavirus vaccine <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Covaxin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Covaxin</a> a Bharat Biotech product Tomorrow at 11 am at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantt under the expert supervision of a team of Doctors from PGI Rohtak and Health Department. I have volunteered to take the trial dose.
— ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) <a href="https://twitter.com/anilvijminister/status/1329393082614202369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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A few weeks later when the minister was in Chandigarh, he reported fatigue and decided to get himself tested. "He got tested himself today morning and the result is positive. The staff will be tested today itself," his team had reported.

The news of him testing positive after administering a trial dose has raised questions about Bharat Biotech's vaccine's effectiveness.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/citing-tech-issues-un-covid-19-summit-nixes-adar-poonawalla-video-347619" hreflang="en">Citing tech issues, UN Covid-19 summit nixes Adar Poonawalla video</a>

Indian pharmaceutical company has also released a statement after Anil Vij tested positive. "Covaxin clinical trials are based on a 2-dose schedule, given 28 days apart. The vaccine efficacy will be determined 14 days post the 2nd dose. Covaxin has been designed to be efficacious when subjects receive both doses," the company said. "The phase-3 trials are double-blinded and randomized, where 50% of subjects (participants in the trial) receive vaccine &amp; 50% of subjects receive placebo."

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COVAXINᵀᴹ trials are based on a 2-dose schedule, given 28 days apart. The vaccine efficacy will be determined 2 weeks after the 2nd dose. <a href="https://t.co/ZKmGuKbBMf">pic.twitter.com/ZKmGuKbBMf</a>
— BharatBiotech (@BharatBiotech) <a href="https://twitter.com/BharatBiotech/status/1335170865646850048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Bharat Biotech had started phase 3 trial of the vaccine only after successfully completing the trial of the first two phases. The pharmaceutical company has engaged with nearly 26,000 volunteers for this vaccine's third phase trial in India — making it the largest ever such trial in India.

The Haryana health minister Anil Vij has tested positive for the novel coronavirus after taking a trial shot of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin vaccine. "I have been tested Corona positive.

The Haryana health minister Anil Vij has tested positive for the novel coronavirus after taking a trial shot of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin vaccine. "I have been tested Corona positive. I am admitted in Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. All those who have come in close contact to me are advised to get themselves tested for corona," he posted on Twitter. Also read| India adds 36,652 new coronavirus cases; death toll stands at 139,700 I have been tested Corona positive. I am admitted in Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. All those who have come in close contact to me are advised to get themselves tested for corona. — ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) December 5, 2020 × Anil Vij, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, had taken a trial shot of India's COVID-19 vaccine's third phase of trial in Haryana on November 20. "I Will be administered trial dose of Coronavirus vaccine #Covaxin a Bharat Biotech product Tomorrow at 11 am at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantt under the expert supervision of a team of Doctors from PGI Rohtak and Health Department. I have volunteered to take the trial dose," he had announced through Twitter. I Will be administered trial dose of Coronavirus vaccine #Covaxin a Bharat Biotech product Tomorrow at 11 am at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantt under the expert supervision of a team of Doctors from PGI Rohtak and Health Department. I have volunteered to take the trial dose. — ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) November 19, 2020 × A few weeks later when the minister was in Chandigarh, he reported fatigue and decided to get himself tested. "He got tested himself today morning and the result is positive. The staff will be tested today itself," his team had reported. The news of him testing positive after administering a trial dose has raised questions about Bharat Biotech's vaccine's effectiveness. Also read| Citing tech issues, UN Covid-19 summit nixes Adar Poonawalla video Indian pharmaceutical company has also released a statement after Anil Vij tested positive. "Covaxin clinical trials are based on a 2-dose schedule, given 28 days apart. The vaccine efficacy will be determined 14 days post the 2nd dose. Covaxin has been designed to be efficacious when subjects receive both doses," the company said. "The phase-3 trials are double-blinded and randomized, where 50% of subjects (participants in the trial) receive vaccine & 50% of subjects receive placebo." COVAXINᵀᴹ trials are based on a 2-dose schedule, given 28 days apart. The vaccine efficacy will be determined 2 weeks after the 2nd dose. pic.twitter.com/ZKmGuKbBMf — BharatBiotech (@BharatBiotech) December 5, 2020 × Bharat Biotech had started phase 3 trial of the vaccine only after successfully completing the trial of the first two phases. The pharmaceutical company has engaged with nearly 26,000 volunteers for this vaccine's third phase trial in India — making it the largest ever such trial in India.

Haryana minister Anil Vij tests positive for COVID-19 after trial Covaxin shot

Leaders of farmers' groups on Saturday met three union ministers for the fifth round of talks on the three farm laws that have caused massive protests in the national capital and along its border. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash are engaging in talks with the representatives of 40 farmers' unions at the Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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"Our demand is the same that the government should withdraw all three farm laws. We want MSP should be guaranteed through the law," said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rajewal state general secretary Onkar Singh Agaul.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/british-mps-support-indian-farmers-agitation-write-to-lawmaker-dominic-raab-347675">British MPs support Indian farmers' agitation, write to lawmaker Dominic Raab</a>

He also said that electricity amendment law and an ordinance on stubble burning in the new laws should be scrapped.&nbsp;

On Thursday, farmer leaders met Union ministers in a meeting that failed to find any resolution as they are demanding revocation of the three laws.&nbsp;

People from the Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA) also endorsed the farmers demand as they were present outside the meeting venue with a banner that read 'we support farmers' and sloganeering that they are with the farmers.&nbsp;

"I belong to a farmer's family. I can related to their fears. We had farm land at Mahipalpur and now you see T-3 terminal out there. We are supporting the protesting farmers in their cause," IITA president Satish Sehrawat told news agency PTI.

He also said that they are providing transportation facility to the farmers from the day they met them.&nbsp;

Ahead of the ongoing meeting with farmer organisations, Union ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mull over proposals that will likely be offered to the protesters, sources said.

The protesting farmers on Friday announced a 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 and threatened to intensify their demonstrations and block more roads leading to Delhi if the government does not give in to their demands.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Leaders of farmers' groups on Saturday met three union ministers for the fifth round of talks on the three farm laws that have caused massive protests in the national capital and along its border.

Leaders of farmers' groups on Saturday met three union ministers for the fifth round of talks on the three farm laws that have caused massive protests in the national capital and along its border. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash are engaging in talks with the representatives of 40 farmers' unions at the Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi. Watch | "Our demand is the same that the government should withdraw all three farm laws. We want MSP should be guaranteed through the law," said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rajewal state general secretary Onkar Singh Agaul. Also read | British MPs support Indian farmers' agitation, write to lawmaker Dominic Raab He also said that electricity amendment law and an ordinance on stubble burning in the new laws should be scrapped. On Thursday, farmer leaders met Union ministers in a meeting that failed to find any resolution as they are demanding revocation of the three laws. People from the Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA) also endorsed the farmers demand as they were present outside the meeting venue with a banner that read 'we support farmers' and sloganeering that they are with the farmers. "I belong to a farmer's family. I can related to their fears. We had farm land at Mahipalpur and now you see T-3 terminal out there. We are supporting the protesting farmers in their cause," IITA president Satish Sehrawat told news agency PTI. He also said that they are providing transportation facility to the farmers from the day they met them. Ahead of the ongoing meeting with farmer organisations, Union ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mull over proposals that will likely be offered to the protesters, sources said. The protesting farmers on Friday announced a 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 and threatened to intensify their demonstrations and block more roads leading to Delhi if the government does not give in to their demands.

Farmer protests: Fifth round of talks between govt and union leaders underway

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for new Parliament building on December 10

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay foundation stone for new Parliament building and will carry out 'Bhoomi Poojan' or ground-breaking ceremony on December 10. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla last week took round of the building to assess the site for foundation laying ceremony.

"On December 10, the Prime Minister will perform Bhumi Pujan for the new state-of-the-art Parliament building," he told ANI.

The construction is due to begin this month. Lok Sabha chamber in the new Parliament building will have seating capacity of 888 against present strength of 543 members. Rajya Sabha will be able to accommodate 384 seats as compared to current strength of 245 members. The maximum capacity for Lok Sabha chamber is expected to be 1272 seats for joint sittings.

ecretary-general Utpal Kumar Singh while taking charge of his new office informed that the agencies will try and finish the construction within less than two years so that 75th year of Indian independence can be commemorated in the new Parliament. The proposed built-up area of the new building is estimated to be 64500 square metres.&nbsp;

HCP Design, Planning and Management Private Limited has won the contract of building new Central vista and Parliament building that will have four floors with separate access for President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, Rajya Sabha chairperson, Members of Parliament and public. With construction expected to start this month and Parliament session expected next month, the secretariat stated that all measures have been taken after consultations with agencies to ensure there would be no air or noise pollution.

The new building will be equipped with digital interfaces to create a paperless office.Apart from the offices of MPs and ministries, the new building will have a Constitution hall to showcase the original Constitution. The officials inform that big statues that adorn the space between house and entry of Parliament will also get relocated as per the design.&nbsp;

(With ANI inputs)

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for new Parliament building on December 10 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay foundation stone for new Parliament building and will carry out 'Bhoomi Poojan' or ground-breaking ceremony on December 10.

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for new Parliament building on December 10 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay foundation stone for new Parliament building and will carry out 'Bhoomi Poojan' or ground-breaking ceremony on December 10. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla last week took round of the building to assess the site for foundation laying ceremony. "On December 10, the Prime Minister will perform Bhumi Pujan for the new state-of-the-art Parliament building," he told ANI. The construction is due to begin this month. Lok Sabha chamber in the new Parliament building will have seating capacity of 888 against present strength of 543 members. Rajya Sabha will be able to accommodate 384 seats as compared to current strength of 245 members. The maximum capacity for Lok Sabha chamber is expected to be 1272 seats for joint sittings. ecretary-general Utpal Kumar Singh while taking charge of his new office informed that the agencies will try and finish the construction within less than two years so that 75th year of Indian independence can be commemorated in the new Parliament. The proposed built-up area of the new building is estimated to be 64500 square metres. HCP Design, Planning and Management Private Limited has won the contract of building new Central vista and Parliament building that will have four floors with separate access for President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, Rajya Sabha chairperson, Members of Parliament and public. With construction expected to start this month and Parliament session expected next month, the secretariat stated that all measures have been taken after consultations with agencies to ensure there would be no air or noise pollution. The new building will be equipped with digital interfaces to create a paperless office.Apart from the offices of MPs and ministries, the new building will have a Constitution hall to showcase the original Constitution. The officials inform that big statues that adorn the space between house and entry of Parliament will also get relocated as per the design. (With ANI inputs)

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for new Parliament building on December 10

A faction of over 30 cross-party MPs in Britain, led by the Labour Party's Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi, have come out in support of the ongoing farmers' agitation in India.

The development comes as farmers have continued their protests at the Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh borders.

The 36 lawmakers wrote to UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to raise the matter with the Indian government.

The MPs, in a missive to Raab, asked to pressurise India against the recently enacted agriculture laws which "exploit" the farmers and those who depend on farming.

They also urged the Foreign Secretary to hold talks with the Indian government.

In his letter, Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough, said that last month several MPs wrote to the Indian High Commission in London about the impacts of the three new farm laws.

"This is an issue of particular concern to Sikhs in the UK and those linked to Punjab, although it also heavily impacts on other Indian states," the letter said.

It called for an urgent with Raab to discuss the situation in Punjab and its relationship with the Union government.

In a tweet, Dhesi said: "Many constituents, especially those emanating from the Punjab, have contacted MPs to express solidarity with the farmers opposing farmers Bill 2020 in India. Dozens of MPs duly deliberated and signed a cross-party letter, seeking justice for the peacefully protesting farmers."

The agitated farmers are demanding the repeal of the three farm laws passed by Parliament earlier this year and have expressed apprehension that they would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporate houses.

The government, on its part, has maintained that the new laws will provide farmers with better opportunities.

 
&nbsp;

A faction of over 30 cross-party MPs in Britain, led by the Labour Party's Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi, have come out in support of the ongoing farmers' agitation in India.

A faction of over 30 cross-party MPs in Britain, led by the Labour Party's Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi, have come out in support of the ongoing farmers' agitation in India. The development comes as farmers have continued their protests at the Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh borders. The 36 lawmakers wrote to UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to raise the matter with the Indian government. The MPs, in a missive to Raab, asked to pressurise India against the recently enacted agriculture laws which "exploit" the farmers and those who depend on farming. They also urged the Foreign Secretary to hold talks with the Indian government. In his letter, Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough, said that last month several MPs wrote to the Indian High Commission in London about the impacts of the three new farm laws. "This is an issue of particular concern to Sikhs in the UK and those linked to Punjab, although it also heavily impacts on other Indian states," the letter said. It called for an urgent with Raab to discuss the situation in Punjab and its relationship with the Union government. In a tweet, Dhesi said: "Many constituents, especially those emanating from the Punjab, have contacted MPs to express solidarity with the farmers opposing farmers Bill 2020 in India. Dozens of MPs duly deliberated and signed a cross-party letter, seeking justice for the peacefully protesting farmers." The agitated farmers are demanding the repeal of the three farm laws passed by Parliament earlier this year and have expressed apprehension that they would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporate houses. The government, on its part, has maintained that the new laws will provide farmers with better opportunities.

British MPs support Indian farmers' agitation, write to lawmaker Dominic Raab

 New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): Superstar Akshay Kumar on Saturday had a "proud son-in-law" moment as ace filmmaker Christopher Nolan penned down a heartfelt note for his mother-in-law and veteran actor Dimple Kapadia. The `Inception` filmmaker had written the note on the eve of the release of his sci-fi film `Tenet,` which also stars Kapadia. "Dimple, What can I say? working with you has been a delight! watching you being Priya to life all around the world has been fantastic. Thank you for your great skill and hardwork and for lending your talent to `Tenet,` Best Wishes," Nolan wrote in the hand-written greeting for the veteran Bollywood star. Sharing a picture of the handwritten note along with a picture of Nolan and Kapadia on his Instagram account, Akshay Kumar expressed his excitemment and spilled it in the caption of his post."Here`s my proud son-in-law moment! #ChristopherNolan pens a heartfelt note to #DimpleKapadia on the eve of their release," the 53-year-old actor wrote. "Had I been in her place, I wouldn`t have been able to move in awe but having watched her on screen working her magic in #Tenet, I couldn`t be more happy and proud of Ma," he added. Earlier on Thursday Nolan had sent out a recorded video message for Indian fans ahead of the release of `Tenet,` in Indian film theatres. The action-packed film that had released earlier in other territories, was released in India on Friday. (ANI) 

New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): Superstar Akshay Kumar on Saturday had a "proud son-in-law" moment as ace filmmaker Christopher Nolan penned down a heartfelt note for his mother-in-law and veteran actor Dimple Kapadia.

New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): Superstar Akshay Kumar on Saturday had a "proud son-in-law" moment as ace filmmaker Christopher Nolan penned down a heartfelt note for his mother-in-law and veteran actor Dimple Kapadia. The `Inception` filmmaker had written the note on the eve of the release of his sci-fi film `Tenet,` which also stars Kapadia. "Dimple, What can I say? working with you has been a delight! watching you being Priya to life all around the world has been fantastic. Thank you for your great skill and hardwork and for lending your talent to `Tenet,` Best Wishes," Nolan wrote in the hand-written greeting for the veteran Bollywood star. Sharing a picture of the handwritten note along with a picture of Nolan and Kapadia on his Instagram account, Akshay Kumar expressed his excitemment and spilled it in the caption of his post."Here`s my proud son-in-law moment! #ChristopherNolan pens a heartfelt note to #DimpleKapadia on the eve of their release," the 53-year-old actor wrote. "Had I been in her place, I wouldn`t have been able to move in awe but having watched her on screen working her magic in #Tenet, I couldn`t be more happy and proud of Ma," he added. Earlier on Thursday Nolan had sent out a recorded video message for Indian fans ahead of the release of `Tenet,` in Indian film theatres. The action-packed film that had released earlier in other territories, was released in India on Friday. (ANI)

Akshay Kumar is ''proud son-in-law'' as Christopher Nolan pens heartfelt note for Dimple Kapadia

In what seems to be a direct fall out of remarks by Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will not attend Canada-headed Covid-19 foreign ministers grouping meeting.

The meeting takes place next week, and ahead of that Canada was told that India will not attend the meet.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Jaishankar attended the 11th Ministerial Coordination Group on Covid-19 in November. That was the first time India officially took part in the meet.&nbsp;

A release from Canadian foreign ministry that time said, "Minister Champagne (Canadian Foreign minister) welcomed Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar of India to the group, noting the recent developments in India and emphasizing the critical role India plays in addressing global COVID-19 vaccine and pharmaceutical needs.".

Other members of the grouping include Brazil, France, Germany, India, Italy, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Last week Canadian PM made remarks on ongoing farmers protests in India, irking New Delhi.&nbsp;

In a strong reaction to what India called "ill-informed" and "unwarranted" remarks, Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Canadian envoy Nadir Patel and told him that "such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada." 
&nbsp;

In what seems to be a direct fall out of remarks by Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will not attend Canada-headed Covid-19 foreign ministers grouping meeting.

In what seems to be a direct fall out of remarks by Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will not attend Canada-headed Covid-19 foreign ministers grouping meeting. The meeting takes place next week, and ahead of that Canada was told that India will not attend the meet. Watch | Jaishankar attended the 11th Ministerial Coordination Group on Covid-19 in November. That was the first time India officially took part in the meet. A release from Canadian foreign ministry that time said, "Minister Champagne (Canadian Foreign minister) welcomed Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar of India to the group, noting the recent developments in India and emphasizing the critical role India plays in addressing global COVID-19 vaccine and pharmaceutical needs.". Other members of the grouping include Brazil, France, Germany, India, Italy, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Last week Canadian PM made remarks on ongoing farmers protests in India, irking New Delhi. In a strong reaction to what India called "ill-informed" and "unwarranted" remarks, Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Canadian envoy Nadir Patel and told him that "such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada."

India's EAM not to attend Canada's foreign ministers' grouping meet on Covid-19

A Maharashtra government school teacher from Solapur has bagged the Varkey Foundation's top Global Teacher Prize-2020 worth $1 million (Rs 7.40 crore), according to an official announcement made in London on Wednesday.

He was honoured for having "transformed the life chances" of girls at the Zilla Parishad Primary School in Paritewadi, in Maharashtra state, prize organizers said. 
 
The announcement was made by actor and writer Stephen Fry at a virtual ceremony broadcast from the Natural History Museum in London. A jubilant Disale heard the news at home in India, surrounded by his family.

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WATCH: Ranjitsinh Disale, a teacher in a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra, wins the Global Teacher Prize for 2020 <a href="https://t.co/Trb4fizy30">pic.twitter.com/Trb4fizy30</a>
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He started teaching at the school in 2009, when it was in a rundown building next to a cattle shed, according to organizers. School attendance was low and teenage marriage common. 
 
The curriculum was not even in the girls` main language, Kannada. Disale moved to the village, learned the language and translated the class textbooks. 
 
He also introduced digital learning tools and came up with personalized programmes for each student. His system of QR Coded Textbooks is now used across India. 
 
School attendance is now 100 per cent, and one girl from the village has graduated from university, the organizers said. 
 
Disale immediately announced he would share the $1 million prize money with the nine other finalists. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

A Maharashtra government school teacher from Solapur has bagged the Varkey Foundation's top Global Teacher Prize-2020 worth $1 million (Rs 7.40 crore), according to an official announcement made in London on Wednesday.

A Maharashtra government school teacher from Solapur has bagged the Varkey Foundation's top Global Teacher Prize-2020 worth $1 million (Rs 7.40 crore), according to an official announcement made in London on Wednesday. He was honoured for having "transformed the life chances" of girls at the Zilla Parishad Primary School in Paritewadi, in Maharashtra state, prize organizers said. The announcement was made by actor and writer Stephen Fry at a virtual ceremony broadcast from the Natural History Museum in London. A jubilant Disale heard the news at home in India, surrounded by his family. WATCH: Ranjitsinh Disale, a teacher in a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra, wins the Global Teacher Prize for 2020 pic.twitter.com/Trb4fizy30 — Reuters India (@ReutersIndia) December 4, 2020 × He started teaching at the school in 2009, when it was in a rundown building next to a cattle shed, according to organizers. School attendance was low and teenage marriage common. The curriculum was not even in the girls` main language, Kannada. Disale moved to the village, learned the language and translated the class textbooks. He also introduced digital learning tools and came up with personalized programmes for each student. His system of QR Coded Textbooks is now used across India. School attendance is now 100 per cent, and one girl from the village has graduated from university, the organizers said. Disale immediately announced he would share the $1 million prize money with the nine other finalists. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian village teacher Ranjitsinh Disale wins Global Teacher Prize 2020

Cyclone Burevi that brought heavy rain to parts of southern India and neighbouring Sri Lanka has weakened into a "practically stationary" deep depression, India's weather office said on Friday.

Tamil Nadu had earlier declared a government holiday in some areas and urged people to stay at home ahead of the cyclone.

"(A) deep depression over Gulf of Mannar...is close to Ramanathapuram district coast, remained practically stationary," the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement, referring to the state's southeast.

The last week killed 23, uprooting trees and cutting power and communication links.

In addition, the Met department has withdrawn the red alert issued for Cyclone Burevi and rains in the seven southernmost districts of the state.

The IMD issued a yellow alert for 10 districts of the state.

In a bulletin released on Friday morning, the IMD said the deep depression is likely to move slowly west- southwestwards and cross Ramanathapuram and adjoining Thoothukudi districts in Tamil Nadu during the next six hours with wind speed of 50-60 gusting to 70 kmph.

"It is very likely to weaken further into a depression (wind speed 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph) during next 12 hours," IMD said.

It has issued yellow alerts for the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.

Meanwhile, the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has rescheduled nine flights scheduled for Friday.

The state has also opened over 2,000 relief camps to face any contingencies as heavy rains were expected when cyclone Burevi made landfall.

A deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal had intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Burevi' and the IMD had predicted heavy rains and wind in the seven southern districts of the state from December 3 to 5.

Cyclone Burevi that brought heavy rain to parts of southern India and neighbouring Sri Lanka has weakened into a "practically stationary" deep depression, India's weather office said on Friday.

Cyclone Burevi that brought heavy rain to parts of southern India and neighbouring Sri Lanka has weakened into a "practically stationary" deep depression, India's weather office said on Friday. Tamil Nadu had earlier declared a government holiday in some areas and urged people to stay at home ahead of the cyclone. "(A) deep depression over Gulf of Mannar...is close to Ramanathapuram district coast, remained practically stationary," the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement, referring to the state's southeast. The last week killed 23, uprooting trees and cutting power and communication links. In addition, the Met department has withdrawn the red alert issued for Cyclone Burevi and rains in the seven southernmost districts of the state. The IMD issued a yellow alert for 10 districts of the state. In a bulletin released on Friday morning, the IMD said the deep depression is likely to move slowly west- southwestwards and cross Ramanathapuram and adjoining Thoothukudi districts in Tamil Nadu during the next six hours with wind speed of 50-60 gusting to 70 kmph. "It is very likely to weaken further into a depression (wind speed 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph) during next 12 hours," IMD said. It has issued yellow alerts for the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram. Meanwhile, the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has rescheduled nine flights scheduled for Friday. The state has also opened over 2,000 relief camps to face any contingencies as heavy rains were expected when cyclone Burevi made landfall. A deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal had intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Burevi' and the IMD had predicted heavy rains and wind in the seven southern districts of the state from December 3 to 5.

Cyclone Burevi weakens after bringing rain to southern India

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